5.03 truck 3.08 rearend towing 6000 lbs

intheburbs wrote:
I would have significant reservations using a 5.3 with the 3.08 rear, UNLESS it's a newer truck and you have a six-speed.

Ditto.

6000 lbs behind a truck with 3.08 gears will result in a very long and arduous climb over the mountains.... 25mph is likely.

Arnold Wagaman wrote:
I am planning on towing a 6000 lb. trailer 3000 miles over the Rockies three times. any one towing with a GM 1500 5.03 motor and a 3.08 rear-end how well will this set up tow?

Arnold,

Speaking from direct experience it is not advisable. That powertrain is rated at 6900# and there is not enough margin for pulling in hilly terrain. You need at least a 3.42 with that engine and transmission, given you have tranny cooler etc.

Wow...

I need to update my Sig..

Any harm if you get into "Trouble" on a mountain pass to Pull over, Shift into 4l and Creep up the hill?

I have a 6.2L Yukon with six speed tranny and a 3.42 gear. I use tow mode whenever I pull my TT. Plenty of torque and the 3.42 seems to pull fine in my Smokey Mountain trips. I'm sure a 3.73 or 4.10 would work easier, but the 3.42 isn't a showstopper. I don't know how significant the difference is with a 3.08. I sure like the torque and tow mode with my 6.2L.

Even if you have the 6 sp transmission, the transmission is going to be the weakest link with that high of axle ratio. It is going to run hot as soon as you push it on hills. Anything above 230f will shorten the life of the trans. If it were me and considering serious Towing like you said I would change to at least 3:73 axle (or axles if 4wd), or change trucks.

I pulled a 6500-lb trailer to Yellowstone with an '01 Suburban 1500 5.3, 4-speed transmission and 4.10 axles.

Going up towards Powder River Pass, elevation 9666 ft, the best we could do was first gear and 25 MPH. GCW was ~12,700 lbs.

I would have significant reservations using a 5.3 with the 3.08 rear, UNLESS it's a newer truck and you have a six-speed.

What transmission do you have? The 2009+ GM 6-spd trans isn't so bad. It compares quite well to the prior 4-spd trans with 4.10 that few people complained about 10 years ago.



Performance won't be great, but it should do it. Tow/Haul and M4 should be good. Make sure you have the Z82 HD trailering package or an upgraded aftermarket trans cooler.

Arnold Wagaman wrote:
I am planning on towing a 6000 lb. trailer 3000 miles over the Rockies three times. any one towing with a GM 1500 5.03 motor and a 3.08 rear-end how well will this set up tow?

I think that would be a hard pull. I use to have the same set up and pulling up a little mountain here in Virgina could be a strain. I traded for a 2500HD with a 6.0 and a 410 gear. Pulls a lot easier with less strain on the motor, transmission and rear end. I thinks it is better to have more truck and less camper. Just my opinion I'm sure there will be those who disagree.

Nice passanger car gearing. Terribe towing gearing. Change to maybe 4:10 and you would bengood to go. Remember if this is a 4X4 you will need to change both ends.